Can't get a date? Buy one!

By Janine Weisman | Mercury

Wednesday

Feb 12, 2014 at 12:01 AMFeb 12, 2014 at 6:00 AM

Single ladies, don’t stay in on Valentine’s Night with a pint of chocolate ice cream watching Ryan Goslin being so sweet and perfect in “The Notebook” on DVD. Single gents, put down that Grand Theft Auto V right now.

Time to get out, do something good and expand your social circle when the Newport Blues Cafe hosts the 2nd annual Singles Valentine’s Day Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30?p.m. The event will raise money and awareness for the blood disorder Multiple Myeloma and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Seven lovely single women and seven handsome single men go on the auction block and the highest bidder wins a date with them. Local businesses have sponsored dates that include dinners at local restaurants such as Sardella’s, Fifth Element, Salvation Cafe, Gas Lamp Grille, and The Chanler’s Spiced Pear. Providence Bruins hockey game, rock climbing at Rock Spot Gym in Peace Dale, and breakfast and bar hopping in Newport on the day of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade are also dates.

When the bidding is done, Felix Brown will take the stage and call the raffle.

“I go around to local businesses to get donations to set them up with things to do on a date or donations for a raffle. Tons of businesses donated last year. It was unbelievable and very heartwarming,” said Blues Cafe Bar Manager Courtney Sullivan.

Cover is $20. There will be an open bar from 7:30 to the start of the auction at 9, raffles and lots of dancing with music by DJ Face and Felix Brown. The auction starts at 9?p.m. with DJ Face as emcee.

Sullivan’s mom and Newport Blues Cafe owner Kate Quinn was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2003, just before her 41st birthday. “She is of course the inspiration for the events we have at the Blues,” Sullivan said. “One hundred percent of the net proceeds go to the MMRF, the world’s largest private funder of Multiple Myeloma research. Ninety percent of the funds raised go to research that is extending the lives of patients and moving us closer to a cure.”

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 and has raised over $225 million since then to fund nearly 120 laboratories worldwide, including 70 new compounds and approaches in clinical trials and pre-clinical studies.

Charity dates!

Among the super singles participating in the Valentine’s Day benefit for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation:

SINGLE LADIES:

Sarah DaSilva

Age: 25

Occupation: Hair stylist/makeup artist

Hometown: Hope

Song: “Diva” by Beyonce

Likes: Biking, spending time with friends, all types of music, marathon Netflixing

What people would be surprised to know about her: “That I lose everything.”

Her friends say: “She never forgets the people she cares about. She’s extremely family-oriented and is very thoughtful.”

Halie Sabatasso

Age: 25

Occupation: Concierge at The Chanler at Cliff Walk and Tour Guide at Newport Preservation Society

Hometown: Middletown

Song: “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Likes: Movies, theater, cooking and spending time with my friends, most types of music outside of R&B and country music, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

What people would be surprised to know about her: “I am incredibly shy and awkward. I have tried to come out of my shell over the years but I am actually quite shy on the inside!”

Favorite quote: “Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else” —Judy Garland

Luciana Sousa

Age: 22

Occupation: College student

Hometown: Narragansett

Likes: Playing rugby, dancing, the beach, Boston sports

Song: “Only Girl (In The World)” by Rihanna

What people would be surprised to know about her. “I have hopes of working on a youth violence task force or with crimes against children.”

SINGLE GENTS:

Tay Wynn

Age: 27

Occupation: Domestic violence prevention counselor

Hometown: Newport

Song: “Adorn” by Miguel

Likes: Working out and listening to music, playing semi-pro football

Favorite quote: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali

What people would be surprised to know about him: “My birthday is on Valentines Day.”

Benjamin Upham

Age: 22

Occupation: Student

Hometown: Newport

Song: “What A Man,” by Destiny’s Child

Likes: Hockey, surfing, his Siberian husky, country music

What would surprise people about him: “I am a sensitive guy.”

His friends say his best attributes are: Loyalty and commitment

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